UND accreditation continued by HLC; Next visit slated for 2023-24Posted on 4/30/2014

Following an extensive self-study program and a campus visit from peer reviewers, the University of North Dakota has been granted continued accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC of the NCA), one of six regional associations that provide accreditation to post-secondary institutions. The University of North Dakota has been continuously accredited by the HLC since the Association organized in 1913.

As the largest of the regional accrediting associations, the HLC operates in 19 states that span the mid-western and part of the western United States.

Said UND President Robert Kelley, "We are proud of this recognition of UND's excellence and appreciate the efforts of all the UND faculty, staff, students and community members who participated in this endeavor. We also appreciate the opportunity to go through the three-year self-study process in preparation for the HLC's visit. We have learned much that will strengthen our efforts as we strive to fulfill the University's mission and continue the journey towards becoming an Exceptional UND."

Said Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Thomas DiLorenzo, "The faculty were terrific in guiding this process. I'm very proud of the results, and I look forward to the next steps in our continuous improvement process."

About the Reaccreditation Process

The Higher Learning Commission's accreditation process takes place at individual institutions approximately every 10 years. In 2010, UND began a comprehensive and thorough self-study process, which was completed last year and culminated in an extensive self-study report (the report can be viewed at UND.edu/provost/higher-learning-commission/index.cfm.

In late October of 2013, The HLC conducted a site visit to UND. For three days, a five-member team examined many aspects of the campus and its programs to validate the information in the self-study report UND had submitted.

Along with its reaccreditation, the HLC issued a full report, accessible at UND.edu/hlc. The report praised numerous aspects of UND's programs, including the strength of the HLC self-study process, the University's progress since the last HLC visit in 2003, the campus-wide and community-wide understanding of UND's mission, UND's continued diversity efforts, undergraduate research opportunities, effective student-to-faculty ratio, and providing high value and affordability to students.

The report also noted the high level of support from both the campus and the community, saying, "It was clear to the Peer Review Team that the University leadership, faculty, and staff are dedicated to enhancing student learning and the quality of the campus experience. This perception is reflected in the support the University receives from the community. The strategic vision of creating an [E]xception[al] UND is focusing the entire institutional on a mission-driven future of service and student growth and development."

The HLC will visit the UND campus for its next reaccreditation in approximately 2023.